Central Coast Mariners closed the gap on sixth-placed Melbourne City FC in the A-League by beating them 2-0 at Central Coast Stadium.
Two goals from Mitchell Duke were enough to see off the visitors, who played the last 30 minutes with 10 men following the dismissal of keeper Tando Velaphi.
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Duke gave the Mariners the lead on 12 minutes following Glen Trifiro's precise through ball, which allowed him to slot his effort past an onrushing Velaphi.
The forward then took advantage of confusion in the City back line to beat three defenders and unleash a fierce shot that Velaphi was unable to keep out.
Former Premier League star Robert Koren tried to pull a goal back for the visitors when he found space in the box, but his effort was deflected away from danger.
However, any hopes of a fightback were all but ended before the hour mark when Duke was gifted possession with only the Melbourne keeper to beat.
Unfortunately for Velaphi, he connected with the player, rather than the ball, as he rushed out and was given his marching orders as a result, leaving the Mariners to see out a comfortable victory.
Chris O'Keefe
